The Madras High Court has directed the Union Ministry of Communications and Technology to block display of the offending materials released by "˜Savukku"™, a Tamil website, through the use of any URL from anywhere in the globe.

Justice CT Selvam gave the direction while passing further orders on a petition from advocate R Mahalakshmi praying for a direction to the inspector attached to the Cyber Crime, Greater Chennai in Egmore to register a case on her complaint dated September 7, 2013 and take action against the accused.

In her complaint, Mahalakshmi contended that Savukku released materials greatly affecting her reputation and status in the society. It has also not spared High Court judges and public personalities.

By an order dated March 20 this year, Justice Selvam had directed the police to block Savukku website.

However, Additional Solicitor General P Wilson told the judge that the offending materials are still being displayed through URLs.

By way of clarification issued on April 30 last, Justice Selvam informed the Group Co-ordinator (Joint Secretary), Cyber Law Division, Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and Technology, New Delhi, that the offending material displayed through the use of any URL from anywhere in the globe shall be blocked.

The judge also divested the inspector attached to the Cyber Crime in Egmore, Chennai, of his duty to act under his earlier order, as he had not strictly complied with it. Instead, the Additional Commissioner of Police, Central Crime Branch shall perform the duty mentioned in the earlier order dated March 20, the judge said.

The judge hoped that the seriousness of the public and social issue involved in the matter will be realised by the officials concerned and due action taken.

The judge made it clear that any disobedience of this order shall be viewed seriously and persons responsible would be called upon to answer before this Court.

The judge directed the Additional Commissioner of Police, Central Crime Branch, Chennai, to coordinate his activities towards obedience of this order with Director (DS.II), Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi and Group Co-ordinator and Director General (CERT) Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Government of India, New Delhi.

In the event of the purpose not being achieved despite such co-ordination, the Additional Commissioner of Police, Central Crime Branch, Chennai might address and take up the issue with the Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, the judge added.

The judge also directed that a copy of this order be forwarded to "˜Google India"™, "˜Yahoo India"™ and "˜You Tube India"™ towards ensuring compliance with this order since otherwise they may well make themselves liable for action for the offence covered by Section 69-A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 which provides punishment of imprisonment up to seven years, the judge added.